That's it! Fantasy Birding or, better yet, Virtual Birding in Cyberspace!
No more expensive binoculars and scopes, no more wet feet and fatigue. No
more hyothermia. No more getting up before the crack of dawn or
owl-prowling at midnight. Or both. Now you too can bird from the comfort
of your office, kitchen, rumpus room, garage or wherever you do your
emailing. Virtualbird (tm) software will be available soon on the Web at
http://www.virtbrd.damnfino.com/html. Just connect and start birding!
Using the simple pulldown menu, select the country and habitat of your
choice. Each bird will be shown flying, perched and as roadkill for 5 sec.
each. Select the degree of difficulty from beginner (daylight, front and
side standing, overhead flying, call and song) to superexpert (dawn,
looking into the sun, rear view only, partially concealed by foliage in
basic plumage, no call or song). Try the Dennis Paulson Challenge for
extra points (stuffed museum specimen only, no call or song). (Big Day and
Birdathon beta versions will be available in time for Christmas Bird
Count.) Email your identifications and receive the instant gratification
of adding to your country, region, state or province, etc. cyberlist. ABA
eat your heart out!

Herb "I don't do gulls" Curl

h.curl at hazmat.noaa.gov "You may be only young once but you can be
Hazmat/NOAA, 7600 Sand Pt. Wy., NE immature the rest of your life."
Seattle, WA 98115-0070
(206) 526-6272